Students can learn certain skills they may not find in regular college classes by participating in the Discovery Series at the Ferguson Center.

The Discovery Series offers several non-credit, low-rate classes for students, faculty and members of the Tuscaloosa community. Classes include dance, guitar lessons, dog training, social networking and floral design.

Some classes last as long as six weeks, while others are a few hours. They usually meet one day a week and cost between $5 and $30 for students.

“We try to make them as reduced-rate as possible for students,” said Kelli Knox-Hall, senior assistant director for the Ferguson Center.

She said the classes are really popular with students because they don’t require a lot of time.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet other students and faculty and staff that sign up for the class,” Knox-Hall said.

The atmosphere is casual, which helps the participants interact, she said. It’s something that can help the participants build hobbies and skills they can maintain throughout their lives.

The Discovery Series offers classes during the fall and spring semesters. Though the schedule of classes changes each semester, the popular classes are often repeated, Knox-Hall said.

Toure Pruitt, a junior majoring in nutrition, is the coordinator of the Discovery Series program.

“[This job] is a good way for me to grow socially and get some kind of experience in the business world,” Pruitt said. “I’ve learned a lot working with the Discovery Series.”

Pruitt said the classes are a great opportunity for students to expand their knowledge and meet new people that share the same hobbies.

The beginning guitar class teaches student to play basic chords, how to buy a guitar, how to tune a guitar and how to play simple songs with friends, he said.

The Discovery Series allows students to learn things they wouldn’t normally learn in the classroom, Pruitt said.

Kim Romain, who has taught dog training classes for 15 years, teaches two classes; a dog obedience class and a dog agility class.

The obedience class will teach participants and their dogs the basic commands and behavioral problems, as well as give them the opportunity to meet new people, Romain said.

The agility class will be an introduction to the obstacles. It will teach the dog to go across and through the obstacles for those interested in competition.

“I hope that the dogs become better trained so that they can kind of be a part of a family and a community instead of just sitting in the backyard,” Romain said. “Both of [the classes] are a good way to bond with your dog and get them out and teach them some manners.”

The dance classes are one-night crash courses with instructor Eric Bolton, who has been with the Discovery Series since its beginning, Knox-Hall said.

“We keep bringing him back to teach more about what he knows, and that’s been real successful,” Knox-Hall said.

Classes in the Discovery Series have already begun. Space is limited, Pruitt said.

For more information about the Discovery Series, visit the Ferguson Center’s website ferguson.ua.edu.

What: Introduction to the waltz When: Oct. 17 from 4-6 p.m. Where: The Ferguson Center Heritage Room How Much: $5 for students

What: Dog Training: Basic Obedience When: Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Nov. 7, Nov. 14 – 1-2:30 p.m. Where: The Park at Manderson Landing How Much: $20 for students

What: Introduction to Dog Agility When: Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Nov. 7, Nov. 14 – 3-4:30 p.m. Where: The Park at Manderson Landing How Much: $20 for students

What: Beginning Guitar When: Every Tuesday, Oct. 26-Nov. 23, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Where: Ferguson Room 204 A How Much: $30 for students

What: Social Networking When: Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m. Where: Ferguson Center Anderson Room (302) How Much: $5 for students

What: Musical Improvisation When: Every Wednesday, Oct. 13-Nov. 3, 6-7:45 p.m. Where: Ferguson Room 305 and 307 How Much: $20 for students

What: Introduction to Floral Design When: Mondays, Oct. 25-Nov. 1, 5-7 p.m. Where: Ferguson Game Room How Much: $20 for students